David Beckham Targets PortMiami As Top Choice For MLS Stadium Site

The group led by David Beckham that is exploring an MLS expansion team in Miami has identified PortMiami as "its top potential site for a permanent soccer stadium," according to Patricia Mazzei of the MIAMI HERALD. Miami Mayor Carlos Gimenez' office confirmed that the group "approached Miami-Dade County to ask if it would consider allowing a stadium on the seaport’s southwest corner." Gimenez has said that the county "would not finance a stadium." But Mazzei notes Miami-Dade could "lease county-owned land at the port to the owners of an expansion MLS franchise, who would then build a stadium themselves." Miami Deputy Mayor Chip Iglesias said that approximately 25 acres "could be available on that Dodge Island site." Mazzei writes that would be "enough for a 25,000-seat stadium with expandable seating for different events." Limited parking "could be built underground," as in AmericanAirlines Arena, but it is "unclear how much more parking space would be available." Traffic "could also be a concern, with only two ways to get onto the island" (MIAMI HERALD, 11/26).